Surrey · London and the South East
Abinger Common Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys across Abinger Common, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. You get a clear report with photos.
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
When to book a survey in Abinger Common
The fixings and underlay frequently fail before good slates or tiles do. Good slate can last well over a century, but corroded nails let slates slip. That kind of wear is common on older roofs.
Common reasons to book include:
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St James, the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Will the report include photos?
Pre-purchase roof survey in Abinger Common
The roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home to repair, and one of the hardest for a buyer to see. A pre-purchase roof survey looks at it closely before you’re tied in. We check the coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, plus the loft where there is safe access. You get a written report with photos. If you’ve noticed flashings that have lifted or split and standing water on a flat extension roof, we can find out what’s behind it, on the roof space, gutters and downpipes and natural slate alike.
Being in a small place like Abinger Common makes no difference to the inspection itself: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed beforehand. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages with roofs you’d like looked at when you book. Whether you are buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Visits can be booked on weekdays and at weekends.
The written findings come by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Place
- Abinger Common (RH5)
- Wider area
- Surrey
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we can’t see
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Bear these in mind:
- The condition of the rest of the house (that is a RICS home survey)
- Whether the price should change, which is between you and the seller
- Whether timbers meet design loads
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll point you to the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
What we check
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings and valleys
Towns and villages near Abinger Common
What else we do in Abinger Common
Tips from our surveys
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. A few suggestions:
- Let us know your timetable
- Book once your offer is accepted
- Give your solicitor a copy of the report
- Ask the agent to make sure the loft hatch can be opened
You may want to pass the report to your solicitor or conveyancer so they can raise enquiries with the seller’s side. It can prompt questions about past roof work and any paperwork for it.
Once you’ve moved in, keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, particularly after autumn. Blocked gutters cause much of the damp we see. Use a gutter contractor rather than going up a ladder yourself.
Abinger Common: your questions answered
Do you cover smaller places like Abinger Common?
Yes. Abinger Common is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Do you cover Abinger Common?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and Abinger Common is part of that. You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and a few details.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We carry out surveys on any day of the week. To arrange a date, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Will you climb onto the roof?
When conditions and the roof make it safe, yes. Many roofs can be seen well from windows, vantage points and the loft, and a drone is part of the Premium Survey where it applies.
Are you insured?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and details are available on request.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where applicable and safe. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. It’s included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where applicable, the Premium Survey.
What’s the best way to book?
To book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and let us know the address and what you’d like to know. We will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
What a survey costs
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Roof area
- Which survey package you book
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.
What to tell us when you get in touch
A little information up front helps. Please include:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
We survey roofs on weekdays and at weekends. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Abinger Common homes and their roofs
Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Older houses across Surrey often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old buildings in Surrey. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about.
Historic houses such as Polesden Lacey, about 4.2 miles north, show how far back building around Abinger Common goes. Buying a period property here means asking about the roof’s age and repairs, and about any listing or conservation area. If you let a flat or house near Gomshall station, it is worth knowing a roof’s condition before you buy it, or before you sign off new roofing work on it.
Abinger Common is about 4 miles south-west of Dorking, in Surrey. From houses to flats and shops in Abinger Common, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. Across Surrey, we cover Abinger Common. We also survey roofs in Guildford.
Here we cover the RH5 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. You will find streets such as Glebe Lane, Leith Hill Road and Abinger Common Road, and we cover them all. If you’re just outside Abinger Common, we cover Friday Street (1 mile east), Abinger Bottom (1 mile south-east), Coldharbour (2 miles south-east), Forest Green (3 miles south) and South Holmwood (3 miles east). Larger places within reach include Guildford (8 miles north-west), Woking (11 miles north-west), Epsom (11 miles north-east), Horley (10 miles east), Redhill (10 miles east) and Ewell (12 miles north-east).
Around Abinger Common
Typical jobs here are in homes near Hurtwood House, The Abinger Hatch Public House and Wotton and Abinger Commons and the streets around them. Abinger Common’s nearest station is Gomshall station, roughly 2.4 miles north-west. Nearby you will also find Abinger Castle (0.5 miles north-west) and Mesolithic Museum (0.5 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Leith Hill and Silent Pool.
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead flashings seal the joints where a roof meets a wall or chimney. We check whether they’ve lifted, split or been replaced with mortar or bitumen.
Flat roofs
A flat roof that has been coated over several times may hide problems underneath. We say when the covering would need opening up to know more.
How it works
The aim of the visit is simple: to see as much of the roof as can safely be seen and record it clearly. Notes and photos go into the written report. The visit normally takes an hour or two at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. In a small place like Abinger Common, access is typically the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You get in touch after your offer is agreed, with the address and your target exchange date.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller.
- We inspect the roof from ground level, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it is safe.
- Each part of the roof is examined and photographed.
- We email a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations, ready for you to use before exchange.
Before the survey
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
Booking a survey
We confirm the exact price before you book, so you know where you stand. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.